In this episode, my guest is Natalie Crawford, MD, a double board-certified physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, fertility and reproductive health and host of the “As a Woman” podcast. We discuss female hormones, nutrition, supplementation, reproductive health, and fertility, including how the timing and duration of puberty impact a woman’s long-term hormone cycles and menopause. We also discuss the pros and cons of various birth control methods and how hormonal vs. non-hormonal birth control each affects fertility. We cover the factors that impact egg and sperm quality and how to leverage timing for conception. We also discuss procedures to assess female fertility, including egg count and hormone testing, the process of egg freezing, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other reproductive options. This episode represents fairly comprehensive coverage of female hormones and reproductive health, highlighting important tests and screening, behavioral, nutritional, supplement and prescription-based tools that women of any age can use to improve their fertility, hormone function and overall health. For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com.Thank you to our sponsorsAG1: https://drinkag1.com/hubermanLMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlabWaking Up: https://wakingup.com/hubermanMomentous: https://livemomentous.com/hubermanTimestamps

Dr. Natalie Crawford

Sponsors: LMNT & Waking Up

Female Puberty & Growth Characteristics, Height

Eggs & Ovulation, Harvesting Eggs, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Endocrine Disruptors, Fetal Development

Lavender, Tea Tree & Evening Primrose Oils, Scents, Diapers

Breast Milk vs. Formula & Fertility

Menstruation Cycle & Hormones, Timing

Sponsor: AG1

Estrogen, Progesterone & Menstrual Cycle

Hormonal Birth Control & Ovarian Reserve, AMH Testing, Fertility

Spermatogenesis & Testosterone; Heat: Ovaries vs Testes

Period & Pregnancy, Conception Window

Estrogen, Libido & Ovulation; Mittelschmerz

Tool: Intercourse Timing & Conception; Artificial Insemination, IVF

Egg/Sperm Quality, Cigarettes, Vaping, Cannabis & Alcohol

Intrauterine Device (IUD), Depo-Provera & Fertility

Birth Control Risks & Benefits, Cancers, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Blood Clotting & Birth Control Pill; Health Screening

Tool: AMH Testing, Ovarian Reserve, Antral Follicle Count Ultrasound

IVF, In Vitro Maturation (IVM); Early Ovarian Reserve Screening

Tools: Egg Freezing, IVF; Age & Egg Quality

Egg Freezing & IVF Procedures, Maternal Age, Success Rates

Tool: Sperm Freezing & Paternal Age, Vasectomy

Hormones, Egg Freezing & IVF

Three-Parent IVF, Mitochondrial DNA

IVF Embryo Storage & Donation; Donor Education & Consent

Autism, Developmental Disorders, IVF Babies, Age

Tools: Sleep, Nutrition & Fertility; Dietary Fat

Protein, Meat, Tofu, Fish; Sugar, Artificial Sweeteners; Weight & Miscarriage

Tools: Supplements; Prenatal Vitamins, Omega 3s, Vitamin D, Coenzyme Q10

L-Carnitine & Male Fertility; PCOS & Myo-inositol; Metformin

Egg Retrieval, Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome, Minimal Stimulation

INVOcell

Egg Freezing, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), Sperm Fragmentation

Genetic Testing, IVF Transfer & Success Rate, Embryo Banking

Menopause

Hormone Replacement Therapy & Menopause

Early-signs of Menopause